Sperm Banks?

Question

The reason I am asking this in the adoption section, is that I want other adoptees opinions on sperm banks. I am leery about them because I think that some of these children will eventually want to meet their biological fathers just like many adoptees do, but these biological fathers could have as many as ten babies out there... sometimes more, and they are even less likely to want to be found than many biological parents in the case of adoption.

Do you think there should be rules about "open sperm banks", especially concerning health information? AKA even if the biological father can remain confidential, he will have to provide updated health information that can be relayed to the mother and child?

Answer 1

You apparently are behind on current trends or simply haven't ever examined the issue. Many sperm banks  even specifically list donors who are fine with being contacted after the child is 18.  In fact, even if they didn't agree, there's been quite a bit of success with the bank asking the guy once the child is 18 if he would change his mind and meet with the now adult child.  

I think it's great.  Some of the smaller banks do contact their donors every so many years for updated health info, but I think they mostly rely on his reporting back if he has family health problems.

I also know that there are groups of moms on the net that try to connect with other women using the same donor.  The most famous example involved a serious genetic health problem, but others find they live nearby and get together a couple of times a year.

Also realize that you can also have a known donor.  Someone you know who is willing to donate sperm.  Go through sperm bank though, because that is the only way the law releases him from future legalities.

Answer 2

Dear Rainia,

I disagree with ANY kind of anonymity in reproduction. I believe that ALL human beings are entitled to know their personal and true parentage, heritage, family medical history and birth information.

If memory serves me correctly:

Approximately 2% of the world's population has NO family or genetic information.

Approximately 51% of Americans have altered, falsified or missing information.

Somewhere between 59-69% of Americans have some DIRECT connection to adoption and/or falsified family records.

Add in anonomyous sperm and egg donation and embryo adoption. I wonder if ANYONE has a TRUE and HONEST familial history. Kinds scarey when you think about it!

Answer 3

I think they should be illegal.